Teenage Drug Addiction

Teenage Drug Addiction & Recovery

It is the topic of conversation every mum and dad go through with their kids – the talk about teenage drug addiction.

According to the findings of a recent US study, children are taking drink and drugs at a much younger age. The results of the 2017 Pennsylvania Youth Survey provide a sobering insight into a situation far more widespread than imagined.

Almost 17% of American school children between 11 and 12 years old and 70% of 17 and 18-year olds admit to drinking alcohol. Over 30% of teenagers have procured alcohol without permission. Be it stealing from their parents, being provided by a friend or, in some cases, shoplifting from a store. But, on the other hand, a shocking 25% of teenagers say their parents have given them alcohol.

Parents used to only worry about children smoking cigarettes, while figures have dropped there has been a rise in vaping, despite the health risks.

5% of youngsters in the US have also taken prescription painkillers. Taking these gateway substances, alongside drugs, alcohol and tobacco at a young age, can alter an adolescent’s natural brain’s functioning. Leading to addiction and abusing harder drugs in adulthood.

What Drugs Are Most Frequently Used By Teenagers?

The teens say drugs are everywhere – and are often as accessible as a can of pop. They can speak firsthand that it doesn’t matter if you live in a housing project or a million-dollar home, every teenager will be tempted by drugs and alcohol, and some may end up becoming hard-core users. A lot of the standard drugs have been around for decades and even centuries and others like “legal highs” are being introduced daily. In May 2016 the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect, banning all non-exempt psychoactive substances.

Treatment centres see teenage patients struggling with all kinds of drugs, from the “big names” you hear about your whole life, to lesser-known substances that can be equally as addictive and dangerous. Parents have to stay aware of what’s out there and how it might affect your teenager if they experiment with it.

The most familiar abused illicit drugs among teens include:

Cannabis

Synthetic marijuana

Cocaine

Heroin

Ecstasy (also known as Molly)

Inhalants

LSD (also known as acid)

Mushrooms

Teenagers are now regularly abusing prescription drugs, and it is worth keeping an eye on. Medications at home should be locked away safely. However, it is possible your teenager can still attain these pills from drug dealers as they would with illicit drugs, and they can also steal them from their family or friends. So be aware.

Some of the most familiar abused prescription medicines include:

Adderall

Ritalin

Vicodin

Xanax

Oxycodone

Codeine

Ambien

What signs will I see if my teenager is using drugs?

Teenage drug addiction is a very serious matter. A revealing sign of a drug problem is paraphernalia — the tools or objects used to store, prepare or take drugs. Finding any of these in your teen’s bedroom, laundry, car or backpack should be a red flag.

Common objects associated with drug use include:

Pipes

Bongs

Rolling papers

Plastic baggies

Aluminium foil

Bottles of pills

Needles

Lighters

Empty aerosol bottles (spray paint, household cleaners, etc.)

You could also look for physical evidence of the drugs themselves, which is often left behind from being used. Bits of cannabis, white powder, pills and other questionable bits and pieces should not be disregarded. You can’t automatically assume the worst if you spot any sign of evidence, but you should still stay on the alert.

There are early warning signs when it comes to teenage drug addiction. There are behavioural and physical signs you should pay attention to. Keep an eye out for any warning signs and trust your instincts. Noticed something wrong? Pay attention to changes in personality, poor judgement and mood swings or showing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Are they becoming secretive or withdrawn, or displaying a loss in interest in hobbies? Maybe hanging about with new friends? If you are worried, address your concerns in a caring, positive way without being heavy-handed.

Teenage drug addiction can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Many children start using drugs or alcohol by the age of 12. But if a youngster holds off taking illegal substances, it can reduce their chances of addiction as a grown up.

There are steps parents can take to stop their child from taking drugs or alcohol. The support of family members, responsible adults and role models can play an essential part of prevention.

It can feel like as children grow older, parents don’t see them as often. It is recommended you spend some quality time together. Take a moment to talk things over and find out what’s going on in their busy lives. Show them you will always be there. Reassure your children you will make time for them and listen to what they say. Let them know they can come to you if they ever have problems.

Familiarise yourself with their social life, get to know the important people in your children’s lives. Their friends and their friend’s families. Where would they go to if they were in trouble and needed to talk? Don’t shut yourself out of the circle. Remind your youngsters what is expected of them when they leave the home. If they are meeting friends or going out for the evening, tell them you presume they will be sensible and not smoke or take drugs or alcohol.

Talk about the risks in a non-forceful manner. Possibly mention a story on the news, something you saw on TV or in a movie. It may relate to a friend, family member or someone you know. Both parents must make a combined approach. Hitting home that taking drugs and alcohol at a young age is against the law and can lead to serious consequences. Parents should also set a good example by living a clean life. Refraining from drugs and taking alcohol in moderation. Keeping in mind kids look to their parents to see how to behave. They should also restrict their child’s accessibility to alcohol or prescription painkillers by locking them away.

If your child has made a mistake, try and learn from it constructively. Listen to their point of view while still setting the boundaries. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from doctors, teachers or drug and alcohol counsellors who can offer advice, for youngster and parents alike. Adolescence is an important part of life, full of change. It can be a time of newfound independence and responsibility for young people.

How do I know if my child needs professional treatment?

If you see indications that your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, you need to take action now. Because we view teenage drug addiction as a family disease and treatment works most effectively when family members are involved, we always prefer to engage parents in the recovery process whenever possible.

Too many times, we at Detoxplusuk have spoken with inconsolable parents who did not act when they first noticed signs of potential substance abuse and wished they had before it developed into an addiction. Take steps today to avoid that outcome. Your first step is to reach out to a professional at Detoxplusuk. Our help is free of charge and confidential. A professional can help you assess the situation, and determine any next steps that should be taken. If it turns out that your teenager needs help, we can go over substance abuse treatment options with you.

Don’t wait until tomorrow to give your teenager the best chance in life. Just call us — we can help you take it from there.

FAQs

Opiates faq

How long do opiates stay in your system?

The half-life for opiates can range from 1-9 hours, depending on how much you take and which type. For instance, the half-life of morphine is 1.5-6.5 hours, the half-life of codeine is 1-4 hours, and the half-life of hydrocodone is 3.5-9 hours The amount of time that opiates can be detected in your system relies on the type of test.

What happens when you mix alcohol with opiates?

Both opiates and alcohol depress the activity of the central nervous system, slowing breathing and heart rate. When taken together, the effects of these substances only increase, slowing breathing and heart rate down dangerously and depriving essential parts of the body of oxygen. Without an adequate amount of oxygen, essential organ systems begin to shut down. This can cause brain damage, or worse, death. Ingestion of opiates and alcohol also leads to loss of balance and coordination, increasing the risk of severe falls and rendering normal activities like driving deadly.

Can heroin abuse cause diabetes?

Some research implies that regular consumption of heroin can have an impact upon the pancreas which can cause hyperglycaemia; more studies are underway in order to establish the nature of this relationship.